Dear Yuletide Author
greerwatson on AO3.
First, let me thank you for writing me a story in one of the fandoms we share. I'm excited about all of them. They're listed in alphabetical order, so as not to play favourites.
GENERAL POINTS:
REQUESTS:
The Charioteer - Mary Renault (any nominated characters)Quite a lot of fan fiction focuses on the canonical romances; so I'd prefer a story that's a bit different. Perhaps a gen school story or other backstory? Or war-time futurefic: e.g. Ralph's future in the Navy, Laurie after he's mustered out; life for the Straikes &/or Aunt Olive during the war; Andrew with the Friends Ambulance Corps; Alec or Sandy as army doctors (or any combination thereof)? Other possibilities: an insider's view of the Bridstow scene, Bunny getting his comeuppance (or Bunny's p.o.v.), a slice-of-life at the E.M.S. hospital; Ralph in a P.o.W. camp. Feel free to include other characters besides those nominated.
I prefer canon-compliant stories that are either gen or character-driven mild romance combined with plot. However, I don't like anything more than PG13: explicit sexual detail is definitely a DNW for me. I prefer not to have characters die in the story; but references to canonical deaths are okay. DNW second person fic.
The Charioteer is the last contemporary book written by Mary Renault before she shifted to writing historicals. What do I like about it? Well, it was one of the first stories I ever read that had explicitly gay characters in it, let alone a gay hero. The characters are eternally fascinating. In addition, it's set in Britain during World War II, which makes it an intriguing period piece.
The prompts I listed in the sign-up are only suggestions: I'm not wedded to any of them. If none hits the spot, then write me something different. On the whole, though, I'd prefer a story that is more-or-less gen-though that depends, of course, on what characters are included during which period in their lives. I certainly don't want canon ignored; it's more a question of focus. Backstory, missing scene, an exploration of characters often overlooked....
I'd prefer something canon-compliant. Futurefic is okay; but I'd rather not have an AU.
Availability: The preferred edition is always the 1953 Longman (or its 1973 reprint); but the paperback is a lot more available, being in print. Also, Renault's books are found in most libraries.
There's a DW community,
renaultx, that is devoted to Mary Renault's novels. That might be a good place to find a beta.
Choir School series - William Mayne (Characters: Charles Unwin Sutton, Mr. Ardent, Dr. Sunderland, Trevithic.)I'd like you to write about some incident at the school, similar to the sort of thing that Mayne used to flesh out his books. Preferably seen mostly from the point of view of one of the boys (since that's how he wrote), but not leaving out the adults, who are so much part of the series. Which boys to include is up to you: Trevithic is the only one nominated; but feel free to use any of the others Mayne mentioned, or an OC.
DNW any rating higher than PG. DNW AUs or crossovers. DNW first- or second-person fic.
Although each of the four choir school books has a plot, it's the incidents that really make up the story. Through them we get to know the characters; and, when I say "characters", I refer less to the protagonists (though Mayne does distinguish them) than I do to the many and varied people in the supporting cast, references to any of whom would be welcome, not just the ones who were nominated. Don't feel you need to work all the requested characters into one short story. Still, the more the merrier.
Suggestions.... Well, the setting is a school (with the inevitable lessons in various academic subjects); but, more specifically, it is a choir school. Music lessons and practice, as well as cathedral services, are a major part of the boys' lives. As well, it's a boarding school: you might perhaps write of personal rivalries, interactions between boys and staff outside school hours, hobbies, or holidays.
As these are boys whose voices have not yet broken, the oldest Choristers cannot be more than 13 or 14 (and the youngest Probationer is only about 7 or 8); so please keep to a PG rating.
Hellspark - Janet Kagan (Maggy | Margaret Lord Lynn, Tocohl Susumo, Worldbuilding (Hellspark))I love this book for Lassti, linguistics, the cast (especially Maggy!), and the detective plot. So as much of that as you can get into the story the better. In terms of worldbuilding, perhaps a deeper exploration of byworld judges, Hellspark polyglots, or the culture of any of the other worlds mentioned in the book. I love all the characters, including those who weren't nominated; so please feel free to include any of them.
Canon-compliant gen, please. DNW anything more than PG13. I prefer not to have canon characters die in the story; but references to canonical deaths are okay. DNW first- or second-person fic.
If you don't know Hellspark, it's set in a far-future where humanity has spread out over many federated planets, each of which has evolved its own cultures and language. The "science" in the SF is Linguistics: the heroine comes from a polyglot people who serve as translators, traders, and judges. When murder is committed among a team of scientists evaluating a newly discovered planet, she is called in to investigate-not just to find the killer, but to determine whether the native species is sentient.
Suggestions, suggestions....
Well, I don't think it's reasonable to ask you to write a sequel. I'd love a sequel, of course; and it's not as though people have never written novels for gift exchanges. (I did myself once. Nearly killed me.) However, it's not really a practical request. *g*
I love casefic. Some other mystery for now-Byworld Judge Tocohl Susumo to tackle would be a joy. We saw one other world in some detail, at the beginning of the novel, so-if perchance some other year she were back there and some crime were committed-perhaps she might be enlisted to solve it. If you want something less plotty, I'd love a missing scene, either on board ship or on Lassti.
The survey team still have much to do after the end of the story. Buntec and Edge-of-Dark are always fun. I particularly enjoyed the flowers & food theme they have going, and the way their original antagonism shifts toward friendship. However, do feel free to use any or all of the other characters if you want: the other survey members, Tocohl's mother, sprookjes.... Any of the characters, in fact. They all have their charms.
Really, anything would be wonderful.
Availability: Amazon.com link
New Tricks (Characters: Brian Lane, Esther Lane)I'd like a story about the Lanes. I'm not interested in romance/smut, but in the sort of thing we saw on the show. Their love for each other is obvious, but understated (and often enough unstated). They've been married for many years, had their ups and downs, and know each other's idiosyncrasies by heart. I'm open as to time period-during any season of the series, or backstory, or futurefic after Brian finally leaves UCOS. (Do they really turn private detective?) Feel free to use other characters from the show if you want. Including a current UCOS case is fine as long as the main focus is on Brian/Esther.
I don't like anything more than PG13: explicit sexual detail is definitely a DNW for me. I prefer not to have characters die in the story; but references to canonical deaths are okay. DNW AUs or crossovers. DNW second person fic.
In some ways New Tricks went on just a bit too long: by the end, the original cast had been pretty well all replaced; and, although it was done gradually enough to be palatable at first, the dynamic inevitably shifted. I don't think I'm alone in missing Sandra, Gerry, Jack, and Brian.
When we lost Brian, we also lost Esther; and the relationship between them was a delight. I'd like to see more. How you do this, though, is up to you. Go back to the days when they were young activists, or when Brian's drinking nearly cost him his family? Go forward, after he leaves UCOS, for another glimpse of their not-so-retirement? Or another scene, like so many in the show, when he's home: their evenings together, maybe a case complicating things, or something about their very different hobbies.
I guess what I'm asking for is a character piece. (They are both such characters!)
If you matched with me on this, it's possible that you were thinking of writing casefic; so let me say that I'm okay with that being part of the story provided the Lanes' home life plays an important role as well.
Availability: Some episodes are on line.
Prehistoric Park
(Characters: Worldbuilding (Prehistoric Park))Dinosaurs! Or mammoths, trilobites, or what have you. Your choice of time period, but I'd prefer something as-yet-unvisited. Ideally, something along the lines of a new episode-well, a single time trip plus a bit back at the park.
Canon-compliant gen, please. I don't like anything more than PG13: explicit sexual detail is definitely a DNW. Feel free to use any of the characters from the series. I prefer not to have canon characters die in the story; but references to canonical deaths are okay. DNW first- or second-person fic. DNW any screenplay or transcription format.
Wikipedia describes this six-part series as a "mockumentary", which is fair enough. It is about a team of scientists who use a time portal to bring back extinct animals to a huge park where they hope, in time, to breed them. Each episode focuses on a different period, to which they go in search of some particular species, though they do tend to bring back more than they originally intended. Intercut with their trips to the past are scenes in the present: either problems coping with the new arrivals, or follow-ups about animals featured in previous episodes.
Why do I love it? Well, the time travel adventures are fun; the notion of saving these fascinating species from extinction is appealing; and the human touches bring it all to life, especially the scenes back at the park. (Also the animation was brilliant; but that's not exactly relevant to your writing me a story.)
Obviously, what I'd really like is the resurrection of the series and six more episodes. Realistically, you're writing me a Yuletide fic, so I couldn't expect more than a single time trip plus a bit back at the park. Nigel is the one who takes a team through the portal; Bob and Suzanne are the ones who primarily deal with the animals at the park. However, I only asked for worldbuilding, not because I don't like them (I do!), but in order to focus my request on the time trips and park, i.s. the world of the series. Your choice of time period, of course; but, if you can manage it, I would prefer an era that is as-yet-unvisited.
Availability: The series is available on DVD as a boxed set, and the episodes are often up on YouTube in their entirety. (As usual, this is bound to vary depending on where you live. Google is your friend.)
WKRP in Cincinnati (Johnny "Fever" Caravella, Les Nessman, Gordon Sims | Venus Flytrap)This is very much an ensemble show, so feel free to include any of the characters from the series, whether nominated or not. My ideal fic would be something like an actual episode, i.e. exploring their friendships, irritations, rivalries, and basic decency, maybe through shenanigans of some sort at the station.
I prefer canon-compliant gen stories; but I'm fine with the level of flirting you get in canon. I don't like anything more than PG13: explicit sexual detail is definitely a DNW for me. DNW first or second person fic. Holiday fic is fine.
I've been rewatching WKRP on YouTube over the past few months. Revisiting old times, so to speak. Yes, it's a bit dated in places; but I was pleased to find that it's still hilarious. In fact, a lot of it rings true even now. It's a series about a "found family", I guess, even though no one would have put it in quite those terms back then. There's clearly a bond between the employees of the underperforming radio station, even though they differ a lot in their backgrounds and values. In a pinch, they'll back each other up, whether the problems are professional or personal.
I decided to pick these particular characters because they're probably the most colourful; but, in truth, they shine because of the contrast with relatively normal types like Andy, Bailey, and Mr. Carlson-who have their own idiosyncrasies, of course. (But don't we all.) So, as far as I am concerned, the more the merrier. Any and all are welcome: they're all part of the mix.
There's not a lot of WKRP fanfic out there; so pretty well anything would be welcome.
Availability: Most of the episodes are available on line.
This entry was originally posted at https://greerwatson.dreamwidth.org/123917.html. Please comment there using OpenID.
First, let me thank you for writing me a story in one of the fandoms we share. I'm excited about all of them. They're listed in alphabetical order, so as not to play favourites.
GENERAL POINTS:
- I love stories that explore canon more deeply, whether through backstory, or elaborating the setting/history/culture, or exploring people's motivations and personal interactions.
- I prefer gen. DNW non-canon relationships unless requested. I'm not asking you to ignore canon relationships; but please don't make them the focus of the story. I don't care for anything more than PG-13: explicit sexual detail is definitely a DNW for me.
- I love casefic; and, more generally, I like stories that are canon-compliant. The general exception to this is ignoring canonical character death if you want. Canon-divergent AUs are also okay. (There may be other specific exceptions.)
- I'm okay with violence if necessary to the story; but not gore for the sake of gore. On the whole, I prefer not to have characters die in the story; but references to canonical deaths are okay. (I'm fine with having original characters murdered in casefic, and that sort of thing.)
- I enjoy comedy-being able to recognize the ridiculous when it pops up; also wit and wordplay. Having said that, I totally leave it up to you whether you write a serious or comic story-or a serious story with comic interludes.
- No second-person fic, please. First person is definitely okay for book canons that were written that way by the author. However, I don't generally care for it with TV fandoms. Epistolary fic is fine.
REQUESTS:
The Charioteer - Mary Renault (any nominated characters)Quite a lot of fan fiction focuses on the canonical romances; so I'd prefer a story that's a bit different. Perhaps a gen school story or other backstory? Or war-time futurefic: e.g. Ralph's future in the Navy, Laurie after he's mustered out; life for the Straikes &/or Aunt Olive during the war; Andrew with the Friends Ambulance Corps; Alec or Sandy as army doctors (or any combination thereof)? Other possibilities: an insider's view of the Bridstow scene, Bunny getting his comeuppance (or Bunny's p.o.v.), a slice-of-life at the E.M.S. hospital; Ralph in a P.o.W. camp. Feel free to include other characters besides those nominated.
I prefer canon-compliant stories that are either gen or character-driven mild romance combined with plot. However, I don't like anything more than PG13: explicit sexual detail is definitely a DNW for me. I prefer not to have characters die in the story; but references to canonical deaths are okay. DNW second person fic.
The Charioteer is the last contemporary book written by Mary Renault before she shifted to writing historicals. What do I like about it? Well, it was one of the first stories I ever read that had explicitly gay characters in it, let alone a gay hero. The characters are eternally fascinating. In addition, it's set in Britain during World War II, which makes it an intriguing period piece.
The prompts I listed in the sign-up are only suggestions: I'm not wedded to any of them. If none hits the spot, then write me something different. On the whole, though, I'd prefer a story that is more-or-less gen-though that depends, of course, on what characters are included during which period in their lives. I certainly don't want canon ignored; it's more a question of focus. Backstory, missing scene, an exploration of characters often overlooked....
I'd prefer something canon-compliant. Futurefic is okay; but I'd rather not have an AU.
Availability: The preferred edition is always the 1953 Longman (or its 1973 reprint); but the paperback is a lot more available, being in print. Also, Renault's books are found in most libraries.
There's a DW community,
renaultx, that is devoted to Mary Renault's novels. That might be a good place to find a beta.
Choir School series - William Mayne (Characters: Charles Unwin Sutton, Mr. Ardent, Dr. Sunderland, Trevithic.)I'd like you to write about some incident at the school, similar to the sort of thing that Mayne used to flesh out his books. Preferably seen mostly from the point of view of one of the boys (since that's how he wrote), but not leaving out the adults, who are so much part of the series. Which boys to include is up to you: Trevithic is the only one nominated; but feel free to use any of the others Mayne mentioned, or an OC.
DNW any rating higher than PG. DNW AUs or crossovers. DNW first- or second-person fic.
Although each of the four choir school books has a plot, it's the incidents that really make up the story. Through them we get to know the characters; and, when I say "characters", I refer less to the protagonists (though Mayne does distinguish them) than I do to the many and varied people in the supporting cast, references to any of whom would be welcome, not just the ones who were nominated. Don't feel you need to work all the requested characters into one short story. Still, the more the merrier.
Suggestions.... Well, the setting is a school (with the inevitable lessons in various academic subjects); but, more specifically, it is a choir school. Music lessons and practice, as well as cathedral services, are a major part of the boys' lives. As well, it's a boarding school: you might perhaps write of personal rivalries, interactions between boys and staff outside school hours, hobbies, or holidays.
As these are boys whose voices have not yet broken, the oldest Choristers cannot be more than 13 or 14 (and the youngest Probationer is only about 7 or 8); so please keep to a PG rating.
Hellspark - Janet Kagan (Maggy | Margaret Lord Lynn, Tocohl Susumo, Worldbuilding (Hellspark))I love this book for Lassti, linguistics, the cast (especially Maggy!), and the detective plot. So as much of that as you can get into the story the better. In terms of worldbuilding, perhaps a deeper exploration of byworld judges, Hellspark polyglots, or the culture of any of the other worlds mentioned in the book. I love all the characters, including those who weren't nominated; so please feel free to include any of them.
Canon-compliant gen, please. DNW anything more than PG13. I prefer not to have canon characters die in the story; but references to canonical deaths are okay. DNW first- or second-person fic.
If you don't know Hellspark, it's set in a far-future where humanity has spread out over many federated planets, each of which has evolved its own cultures and language. The "science" in the SF is Linguistics: the heroine comes from a polyglot people who serve as translators, traders, and judges. When murder is committed among a team of scientists evaluating a newly discovered planet, she is called in to investigate-not just to find the killer, but to determine whether the native species is sentient.
Suggestions, suggestions....
Well, I don't think it's reasonable to ask you to write a sequel. I'd love a sequel, of course; and it's not as though people have never written novels for gift exchanges. (I did myself once. Nearly killed me.) However, it's not really a practical request. *g*
I love casefic. Some other mystery for now-Byworld Judge Tocohl Susumo to tackle would be a joy. We saw one other world in some detail, at the beginning of the novel, so-if perchance some other year she were back there and some crime were committed-perhaps she might be enlisted to solve it. If you want something less plotty, I'd love a missing scene, either on board ship or on Lassti.
The survey team still have much to do after the end of the story. Buntec and Edge-of-Dark are always fun. I particularly enjoyed the flowers & food theme they have going, and the way their original antagonism shifts toward friendship. However, do feel free to use any or all of the other characters if you want: the other survey members, Tocohl's mother, sprookjes.... Any of the characters, in fact. They all have their charms.
Really, anything would be wonderful.
Availability: Amazon.com link
New Tricks (Characters: Brian Lane, Esther Lane)I'd like a story about the Lanes. I'm not interested in romance/smut, but in the sort of thing we saw on the show. Their love for each other is obvious, but understated (and often enough unstated). They've been married for many years, had their ups and downs, and know each other's idiosyncrasies by heart. I'm open as to time period-during any season of the series, or backstory, or futurefic after Brian finally leaves UCOS. (Do they really turn private detective?) Feel free to use other characters from the show if you want. Including a current UCOS case is fine as long as the main focus is on Brian/Esther.
I don't like anything more than PG13: explicit sexual detail is definitely a DNW for me. I prefer not to have characters die in the story; but references to canonical deaths are okay. DNW AUs or crossovers. DNW second person fic.
In some ways New Tricks went on just a bit too long: by the end, the original cast had been pretty well all replaced; and, although it was done gradually enough to be palatable at first, the dynamic inevitably shifted. I don't think I'm alone in missing Sandra, Gerry, Jack, and Brian.
When we lost Brian, we also lost Esther; and the relationship between them was a delight. I'd like to see more. How you do this, though, is up to you. Go back to the days when they were young activists, or when Brian's drinking nearly cost him his family? Go forward, after he leaves UCOS, for another glimpse of their not-so-retirement? Or another scene, like so many in the show, when he's home: their evenings together, maybe a case complicating things, or something about their very different hobbies.
I guess what I'm asking for is a character piece. (They are both such characters!)
If you matched with me on this, it's possible that you were thinking of writing casefic; so let me say that I'm okay with that being part of the story provided the Lanes' home life plays an important role as well.
Availability: Some episodes are on line.
Prehistoric Park
(Characters: Worldbuilding (Prehistoric Park))Dinosaurs! Or mammoths, trilobites, or what have you. Your choice of time period, but I'd prefer something as-yet-unvisited. Ideally, something along the lines of a new episode-well, a single time trip plus a bit back at the park.
Canon-compliant gen, please. I don't like anything more than PG13: explicit sexual detail is definitely a DNW. Feel free to use any of the characters from the series. I prefer not to have canon characters die in the story; but references to canonical deaths are okay. DNW first- or second-person fic. DNW any screenplay or transcription format.
Wikipedia describes this six-part series as a "mockumentary", which is fair enough. It is about a team of scientists who use a time portal to bring back extinct animals to a huge park where they hope, in time, to breed them. Each episode focuses on a different period, to which they go in search of some particular species, though they do tend to bring back more than they originally intended. Intercut with their trips to the past are scenes in the present: either problems coping with the new arrivals, or follow-ups about animals featured in previous episodes.
Why do I love it? Well, the time travel adventures are fun; the notion of saving these fascinating species from extinction is appealing; and the human touches bring it all to life, especially the scenes back at the park. (Also the animation was brilliant; but that's not exactly relevant to your writing me a story.)
Obviously, what I'd really like is the resurrection of the series and six more episodes. Realistically, you're writing me a Yuletide fic, so I couldn't expect more than a single time trip plus a bit back at the park. Nigel is the one who takes a team through the portal; Bob and Suzanne are the ones who primarily deal with the animals at the park. However, I only asked for worldbuilding, not because I don't like them (I do!), but in order to focus my request on the time trips and park, i.s. the world of the series. Your choice of time period, of course; but, if you can manage it, I would prefer an era that is as-yet-unvisited.
Availability: The series is available on DVD as a boxed set, and the episodes are often up on YouTube in their entirety. (As usual, this is bound to vary depending on where you live. Google is your friend.)
WKRP in Cincinnati (Johnny "Fever" Caravella, Les Nessman, Gordon Sims | Venus Flytrap)This is very much an ensemble show, so feel free to include any of the characters from the series, whether nominated or not. My ideal fic would be something like an actual episode, i.e. exploring their friendships, irritations, rivalries, and basic decency, maybe through shenanigans of some sort at the station.
I prefer canon-compliant gen stories; but I'm fine with the level of flirting you get in canon. I don't like anything more than PG13: explicit sexual detail is definitely a DNW for me. DNW first or second person fic. Holiday fic is fine.
I've been rewatching WKRP on YouTube over the past few months. Revisiting old times, so to speak. Yes, it's a bit dated in places; but I was pleased to find that it's still hilarious. In fact, a lot of it rings true even now. It's a series about a "found family", I guess, even though no one would have put it in quite those terms back then. There's clearly a bond between the employees of the underperforming radio station, even though they differ a lot in their backgrounds and values. In a pinch, they'll back each other up, whether the problems are professional or personal.
I decided to pick these particular characters because they're probably the most colourful; but, in truth, they shine because of the contrast with relatively normal types like Andy, Bailey, and Mr. Carlson-who have their own idiosyncrasies, of course. (But don't we all.) So, as far as I am concerned, the more the merrier. Any and all are welcome: they're all part of the mix.
There's not a lot of WKRP fanfic out there; so pretty well anything would be welcome.
Availability: Most of the episodes are available on line.
This entry was originally posted at https://greerwatson.dreamwidth.org/123917.html. Please comment there using OpenID.